Mindstab Thrull MTG Card

Creates card advantage and influences opponents’ plays due to its threatening discard ability. Mana cost and speed may limit its use, highlighting the importance of strategic deck building. Its unique impact on the board state and discard synergy makes it a noteworthy collection addition.

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 40b

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 40c

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 40a

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 178

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 178s

Masters Edition (ME1)
2007-09-10 - Number 76

Card sets	Released in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Thrull
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

If Mindstab Thrull attacks and is not blocked, you may sacrifice it to force the player it attacked to discard three cards. If you do so, it deals no damage during combat this turn. If that player does not have enough cards, his or her entire hand is discarded.

Cards like Mindstab Thrull

Mindstab Thrull offers a unique twist on the theme of card disruption within MTG. Echoing thoughts of Hymn to Tourach, Mindstab Thrull disrupts opponents by forcing card discard. However, unlike Hymn to Tourach’s immediate discard effect, Mindstab Thrull must attack before its ability kicks in, making strategic timing key to its success.

Similar to Mindstab Thrull, Ravenous Rats also disrupts the opponent by prompting a card discard upon entering the battlefield. While less costly in terms of mana, Ravenous Rats lacks the repeated discard potential that the thrull can achieve over multiple turns. Additionally, Specter’s Shriek offers the discard choice to the opponent but also looks at their hand, increasing the strategic knowledge for the caster at the expense of exiling a card from one’s own hand.

Examining the card advantage and tempo disruption capabilities of Mindstab Thrull in concert with other discard-inducing cards, we see how its repeatable nature potentially swings games. It’s especially potent in Limited formats where dragging out the game can starve an opponent’s resources effectively.

Cards similar to Mindstab Thrull by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When the Mindstab Thrull successfully deals damage to a player, that player discards three cards, which can lead to a significant card advantage by depleting your opponent’s hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or acceleration, the discard effect can indirectly speed up your own resource gain by setting your opponent back and giving you the upper hand in overall board state and options.

Instant Speed: While Mindstab Thrull itself isn’t an instant, the threat it poses can force opponents to use their instant-speed removal on it preemptively, preserving your other threats and allowing you to dictate the pace of the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Mindstab Thrull requires the opponent to discard multiple cards upon successful damage delivery, which can often be too slow or easily disrupted by your opponent’s strategies. If you’re aiming for a fast-paced, discard-focused tactic, there are more immediate options available.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Mindstab Thrull involves a specific combination of mana, which limits its inclusion to decks that can produce both black and colorless mana efficiently. This cost requirement could pose a challenge in multicolored decks where mana consistency is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s not negligible, Mindstab Thrull demands a significant investment before it starts impacting the game. Considering its susceptibility to common removals and the pace at which modern games of MTG progress, there might be more cost-effective creatures to fill its role.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Mindstab Thrull can serve multiple roles within a deck, fitting nicely into strategies aimed at resource denial or attrition. Its ability to force a discard when it deals damage complements both aggressive and control-oriented playstyles.

Combo Potential: When paired with ways to either enhance its survivability or ensure it connects with an opponent, Mindstab Thrull’s impact can be amplified. It works well with cards that grant evasion or with effects that strip away an opponent’s defenses.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where opponents tend to hold key cards in hand for the right moment, this thrull can disrupt their plans. In such a scenario, having Mindstab Thrull in your arsenal could shake up the game to your advantage.

How to beat

Mindstab Thrull is an iconic piece from MTG’s earlier sets, presenting a distinctive discard challenge for your opponents. This Thrull, with its delayed yet potent ability, induces a strategic conundrum where it demands an attack and survival until the next upkeep to trigger its effect. It’s a unique ability within the spectrum of discard mechanics, reminiscent of certain abilities that only trigger upon dealing combat damage, but with the added suspense of waiting until the next turn.

The key to overcoming the ominous threat of Mindstab Thrull lies in preventing it from sticking around. Removal spells are your best line of defense. Cards like Doom Blade or Fatal Push can dispatch the Thrull before it ever gets the chance to unravel your hand. And given that it requires an attack, creatures with solid defensive stats can halt the Thrull dead in its tracks, keeping your hand intact. In the event that it does survive to trigger its effect, having instant-speed card draw or hand replenishment such as Think Twice or opt can quickly replenish your resources, mitigating the impact of its debilitating trigger.

Successfully navigating against Mindstab Thrull involves a mix of preemptive control and quick recovery, ensuring this relic from MTG’s past doesn’t dismantle your strategy piece by piece.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mindstab Thrull MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Mindstab Thrull and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mindstab Thrull Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2007-09-10. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	40b	1993	Normal	Black	Heather Hudson
2	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	40c	1993	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin
3	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	40a	1993	Normal	Black	Richard Kane Ferguson
4	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	178	1997	Normal	White	Mark Tedin
5	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	178s	1997	Normal	White	Heather Hudson
6	2007-09-10	Masters Edition	ME1	76	1997	Normal	Black	Mark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mindstab Thrull has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mindstab Thrull card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	The defending player gets to choose which cards they discard.
2013-04-15	An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step.